Missing out on Black Friday deals is a thing of the past. Not only do deals last a couple of days after Friday, but they continue (and get better) the following Monday. Cyber Monday deals range from 10-80% off gear and accessories. Don’t miss out today. Here are 10 of our favorite Cyber Monday music deals.
1. Shure SM57 Dynamic Instrument Microphone
Now thru December 4 shop Guitar Center for Cyber Monday deals. Take advantage of 30% off gear. Guitar Center notes that most Cyber Monday deals ship for free! While you shop early, be sure to consider buying microphones for the new year. Save 10% on a Shure SM57 mic. It’s the ultimate instrument microphone for percussion — it isolates drums and reduces background noise for clean audio and rich vocal pickup. A drummer gave it a 5-star rating and wrote, “We were very glad, especially with comments after the gig such as, “the drums sounded very professional.” I highly recommend these to anybody because not only are they great for live gigs, but also when recording. We just finished recording our demo and can’t believe how well the drums sound.” Get it for under $90 today.
2. Victrola Retro Record Player
Vinyl lovers, rejoice. Here’s a perfect retro-style record player you’re bound to fall in love with. Seriously, if your vinyl collection is your pride and joy you have to have a record player that’s worth showing off as well. It features a 3-speed turntable and also works as a radio and Bluetooth speaker. You can also use a USB to play music from non-Bluetooth devices. Choose from 4 different colors. This record player is normally $150 but is on sale for $108.88.
3. Roland V-Drums TD-1DMK Drum Set
This Roland V-Drum Set is normally $700 but is on sale for $549.99. I bought this set recently, and wow that’s a steal. You still have to buy a kick pedal and a throne, so what you save on Cyber Monday can go towards more gear to complete the set. And of course, you can bet you’ll find a pedal and throne on sale, too. This kit is great for beginners, especially adults. With 15 preset drum kits and a built-in metronome, you’re bound for improvement. No delayed hits and true-to-life drumming will make practice fun. Great for a realistic drumming experience, it doesn’t get better than Roland.
4. Apple AirPods Pro with MagSafe Charging Case (1st Generation)
These Airpods are worth checking out. If you’re looking for a pair of affordable quality earphones, this is where to start. The AirPods Pro offers noise cancellation, and transparency mode, and is sweat and water-resistant. These are perfect for everyday use and working out. Enjoy more than 24 hours of total listening time. Get them for under $160 for a limited time.
5. Topvision Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Topvision projectors and speakers get lots of love from music and movie enthusiasts, especially this portable Bluetooth speaker. The speaker is 100% waterproof, making it a great speaker for outdoor fun (camping, beach days, and more). Charging and pairing it to your devices is simple. With a Bluetooth 5.0 connection, you’ll have it paired to devices within 50 feet in no time. As for charging, it uses a USB-C port, so ditch the batteries. It offers 12 hours of total playtime and has terrific 360-degree sound. It’s under $22 this week.
6. Vekkia Sheet Music Stand with Carrying Bag
A stand for your sheet music is a must, especially if you’re a beginner learning how to read music. They’re also great to keep around in music studios for songwriting and students. Save over $6 on this stand that’s adjustable from 32 to 56 inches. It’ll last a long time, thanks to anti-rust technology. It also comes with a carrying bag to keep it safe as you travel to and from home, school, or band practice. It’s super easy to assemble and one fan said it’s a great pick for outdoor gigs. Get it today for $33.59.
7. Evans RealFeel Practice Pad 6 in.
Consider this 6-inch practice pad for practice on the go. Some may prefer the 12-inch pad, but if you’re looking for a practice pad under $20, this is the best bang for the buck. The Evans RealFeel practice pad has a great rebound. It’s truly a great gift for drummers of all levels. Perfecting wrist and finger control here will make all the difference when it’s time to get on the kit.
Ernie Ball is everything and more when it comes to quality guitar strings. They’re loved by some of your heroes and you’ll soon see why. These strings are warm and have excellent projection. So, dig up that guitar from the storage and put some new strings on it. Grab a 4-pack today for $21.99.
If you’re looking for a quality audio experience via smart speaker, you can’t go wrong with Amazon’s Echo Dot. You can use Alexa for lots of help, but nothing beats asking your new smart speaker to play music as you clean, cook, or lounge in bed. Clear vocals and a deep bass throughout the house are a simple pleasure for all music lovers. Get it for $24.99.
It may be tempting to drop an entire paycheck on a pair of custom IEMs, but before you do that, consider an affordable pair of isolating earphones. Shure has a pair on sale for under $100 today. You’ll be able to enjoy your music and tune out ambient noise. Guitarists and drummers love them, plus, you can also wear them while you work out or run errands.
**All products are independently chosen by American Songwriter editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.
Attending a concert is an excellent way to warm up and cheer up with friends and family during the last month of the year. Portland is fortunate to offer a lot of performances of sacred and secular music that embraces the holiday season. Here are 14 gems that may entice you to get out of the house. Keep in mind that masking requirements may vary for each concert. So be sure to check with each organization’s website.
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The Portland Symphonic Choir kicks off the holiday classical music season with “Wintersong” on Dec. 3-4.Photo by Samuel Hobbs
Wintersong – Portland Symphonic Choir
A warm mixture of seasonal works will elevate your spirits when this choir, under the direction of its artistic leader Alissa Deeter, sings it annual holiday concert. You will hear “Ring Out, Wild Bells” by Jonathan Dove and a medley of traditional tunes in ‘Christmas Day’ by Gustav Holst. The choir will also sing the Ukrainian New Year’s carol “Shchedryk” (commonly known as “Carol of the Bells”), “Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming,” “Noel” by Portland composer Naomi LaViolette, and “Maoz Tsur” by Shlomo Farber. Be sure to clear your throats to sing-along with “Deck the Halls,” “Silent Night,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “O Hanukkah,” and the “Hallelujah Chorus.” Choirs from Franklin High School and Southridge High School will also participate.
7:30 p.m. Dec. 3, Rose City Park United Methodist Church. 5830 N.E. Alameda St.; 4 p.m. Dec. 4, Cedar Mill Christ United Methodist Church, 12755 N.W. Dogwood St.; $40; pschoir.org or 503-223-1217.
Glory of Christmas – Oregon Repertory Singers
Ethan Sperry directs this festive celebration with seasonal favorites that encompass traditional carols like “Sing We Now of Christmas” and “What Child is This” and sacred pieces like Morten Lauridsen’s “Chanson des Roses,” Eric Whitacre’s “Sainte Chapelle, Franz Biebl’s “Ave Maria.” You will also enjoy Ola Gjeilo’s “Northern Lights” and Portland composer Naomi LaViolette inviting arrangements of “Love is Love” and “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.” The program includes two world premieres: “LaViolette’s “Winter Solstice” and Ethan Sperry’s “7 x 7.” The ORS youth choirs will combine with the adults to sing LaViolette’s “Noel,” which sets the old carol “The First Noel,” with a new melody and harmonic structure.
Dec. 4, 10, 11, First United Methodist Church, 1838 S.W. Jefferson St.; $25-$45; orsingers.org or 503-230-0652.
Comfort & Joy – Oregon Symphony
Associate conductor Deanna Tham and the orchestra will open the concert with Leroy Anderson’s “A Christmas Festival,” which contains a brilliant medley of carols. The kid in all of us will smile along with the “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers,” and “Spirit of the Season” from the movie Polar Express. “Joyful Day” from Nigerian composer Fela Sowande has an infectious rhythm. The musicians will accompany the Oregon Chorale to carol you with traditional favorites, such as “We Need a Little Christmas,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and “White Christmas.” Following the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s “Messiah” you will be treated the equally rousing “Gospel Hallelujah” of Quincy Jones.
Yuletide: A Christmas Carol – Choral Arts Ensemble
Imagine weaving the story of Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol,” with traditional carols and a few new ones to create a powerful and poignant event. That’s exactly with the Choral Arts Ensemble, under the direction of David De Lyser will do with its presentation of Benedict’ Sheehan’s “A Christmas Carol” in its West Coast premiere. Portland’s own Susannah Mars will provide narration, accompanied by the choir and soloists, to tell the story of the wealthy and self-centered Scrooge, who repents the wrongdoings of his past and wakes up on Christmas morning with a new mission in life to bring joy to the impoverished Cratchit family and especially Tiny Tim.
7:30 p.m. Dec. 10, 3 p.m. Dec. 11, St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 2408 S.E. 16th Ave.; $22 advance, $30 at the door; portlandschoir.org or 503-488-3834.
Members of the Northwest Community Gospel Chorus, under the direction of Charles Floyd, bring the annual Gospel Christmas concert with the Oregon Symphony to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on Dec. 10 and 11.Photo courtesy of the Oregon Symphony
Gospel Christmas – Oregon Symphony
Charles Floyd leads the orchestra, the Northwest Community Gospel Chorus, and soloists in this annual concert that brings glorious, full-throated gospel sounds to the Schnitz. Vocalists Alonzo Chadwick Sr. and Saeeda Wright-Amartey will help to power you upward and onward. Chadwick opens the concert with Isaiah Smith’s “All Praise” and closes it with Myron Williams’ “King of Kings.” Wright-Amartey will deliver “Great Big God” by Lisa Knowles Smith. They are just two of the many soloists involved in this upbeat concert that will take you from “Go Tell it on the Mountain” into “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” Be ready for the call and response style that is guaranteed to get you warmed up and clapping along.
Conductor Gabriel Crouch will lead the Portland Baroque Orchestra, the Cappella Romana vocal ensemble, and soloist in performances of Handel’s “Messiah” Dec. 9-11.Photo courtesy of Portland Baroque Orchestra
Handel’s ‘Messiah’ – Portland Baroque Orchestra
Handel’s “Messiah” is a three-hour musical feast based on passages from the Old and New Testaments. Split into three parts, this oratorio tells of the coming of Christ to redeem the world, His ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension. Terrific recitatives, arias, and choruses, including the “Hallelujah Chorus” have combined to make the “Messiah” one of the most popular pieces ever written. Conductor Gabriel Crouch will lead the Portland Baroque Orchestra, the Cappella Romana vocal ensemble, and soprano Maya Kherani, mezzo-soprano Abigail Levis, tenor Thomas Cooley, and bass-baritone Douglas Williams. Crouch teaches at Princeton University and is the musical director of the British early music ensemble Gallicantus, which has released six acclaimed recordings.
7:30 p.m. Dec. 9-10, 3 p.m. Dec. 11, First Baptist Church, 1110 S.W. Taylor St.; $38-$78; pbo.org or 503-226-6000.
Members of the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus put plenty of energy into their annual holiday show, which will be performed Dec. 9-11 at the Newmark Theatre.
Light the Way Home – Gay Men’s Chorus
The 100-voice choir will perform sacred and secular pieces with chamber orchestra and percussion. From the late medieval period, the men will sing an arrangement of “Gaudete.” A medley of Christmas carols will sparkle in Chad Weirick ‘s “The Lights Have Been Strung.” Arrangements of “Betelehemu,” a Nigerian Christmas carol by Olatunji and Wendell Whalum, the Hanukkah song “One Light,” Carol Hall’s “Hard Candy Christmas,” and Sara Bareilles’ “Love is Christmas” will add flavor to the concert. The chorus’ new artistic director, Braeden Ayres, will conduct. Ayres previously led the Colorado Springs Men’s Chorus, which, in light of recent tragic events, makes this concert about peace and joy especially significant.
Tchaikovsky extracted several of the most well-known numbers from his ballet “The Nutcracker,” to create “The Nutcracker Suite.” It is in this form that the ballet gained world-wide popularity, and that has led to a variety of arrangements, including one by David Gwyn Seymour, which shows off the versatility of six cellos. Portland’s own North Pole Cello Sextet (Seth Biagini, Pansy Chang, Trevor Fitzpatrick, Antoinette Gan, Kevin Kunkel, and Marilyn de Oliveira) will deliver the goods. You will hear the Sugar Plum Fairy’s dance and the Russian, Arabian, Chinese, and Reed Flute dances. The elegant and grand “Waltz of the Flowers” will probably cause any children in attendance to get up and twirl in the aisle. Also on tap are a few movements from Arcangelo Corelli’s “Christmas Concerto,” Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” and Karl Jenkins “Benedictus.”
7 p.m. Dec. 14, The Old Madeleine Church, 3123 N.E. 24th Ave.; $30; 45thparallelpdx.org or 503-446-4227.
J.S. Bach Christmas Oratorio – Trinity Music and Portland Baroque
The Trinity Choir, accompanied by the Portland Baroque Orchestra, will present J. S. Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio,” which consists of six separate cantatas for specific days during Christmas and Epiphany. The first three cantatas will be performed on Dec. 16 and the second set on Dec. 17. Featured soloists are soprano Evelyn Johnson Zamudio, countertenor Daniel Moody, tenor Nils Neubert, and bass Daniel Pickens-Jones. The entire ensemble will be conducted by Avi Stein, associate organist and chorus master at Trinity Wall Street. Each concert will be followed by Trinity’s Wassail Party. The merrymaking is included with the ticket purchase.
The 40-voice choir, conducted by artistic director Ralph Nelson, uncorks works of the Baroque period, beginning with three German carols by Michael Praetorius that includes “Lo, how a rose e’er blooming.” Heinrich Schutz’s “Hodie Christus Natus Est” (Today Christ is Born) vocally reflects a brass ensemble. Handel’s first music teacher, Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow, wrote the soothing cantata “Uns ist ein Kind geboren” (To us a child is born). Bach’s Cantata No. 122, “Das neugeborne Kindelein” (The newborn child) was written for the Sunday after Christmas in honor of Christ’s birth. The big number on the concert program is Bach’s “Magnificat,” a festive work with colorful instrumentation that uses brass and tympani.
7:30 p.m. Dec. 16, Rose City Park Presbyterian Church, 1907 N.E. 45th Ave.; $30; bachcantatachoir.org or 503-702-1973.
A Rose in Midwinter – In Mulieibus
Works spanning from medieval times to the brand-new pieces will be sung by this outstanding all-female ensemble. You can hear rarely performed songs by Pérotin, who was associated with the Notre Dame school of polyphony in the 1200s and other “anonymous” composers from the Early Music era. Contemporary pieces will feature Ivan Moody’s “Cum natus esset Iesus” (When Jesus was born) and the music of Nicola LeFanu and Portland composer John Vergin. The sirens in this concert, led by Anna Song, are sopranos Catherine van der Salm, Henriët Fourie, Kari Ferguson, Ann Wetherell, Amanda Jane Kelley, and mezzos Sue Hale and Hannah Penn. Be ready to bliss out!
7 p.m. Dec. 20, St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1716 N.W. Davis St., 7 p.m. Dec. 21, St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 2408 S.E. 16th Ave.; $30-$40; inmulieribus.org or 503-283-2913.
Holiday Brass – Oregon Symphony
The orchestra’s stellar brass section will strut their stuff under the direction of associate conductor Deanna Tham. Composer Anthony DiLorenzo, who has won an Emmy and has been nominated for a Grammy, is represented in the program with his arrangements of “Joy to the World”, “Twas’ the Night before Christmas,” and “Christmas ‘Toons.” Composer Sean O’Loughlin will mellow things out with “Peaceful Sleep” before stirring things up with “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” Denis Bédard’s “Toccata sur Il est né, le divin Enfant” (He is born, the divine Child} and Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas Medley” will feature organist Jeff Wood.
Members of The Portland Youth Philharmonic will perform a concert that features a world premiere as well as Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries” on Dec. 26.Photo by Zachary C. Person
Concert at Christmas – Portland Youth Philharmonic
Since 1961, this annual event has lifted concertgoers’ spirits and this year’s program continues that tradition under the moniker of “Up in the Air.” The Portland Youth Philharmonic, under David Hattner, will achieve lift off with Gioachino Rossini’s Overture to “La gazza ladra” (The Thieving Magpie). They will also play the world premiere of Kenji Bunch’s “she flies with her own wings” and John Philip Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever” in honor of its 125th anniversary. The PYP Alumni Orchestra will follow with Richard Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries.” The concert also includes performances by the Portland Youth Conservatory Orchestra under Lawrence Johnson, the Portland Youth Wind Ensemble under Giancarlo Castro D’Addona, and the Portland Youth String Ensemble under Inés Voglar Belgique.
Members of the Oregon Symphony will perform Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” along with “Carmen Suite” at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on Dec. 30.Photo courtesy of the Oregon Symphony
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons – Oregon Symphony
A wonderful way to ring in the new year with Vivaldi’s ever-popular “Four Seasons.” Led by associate conductor Deanna Tham, the orchestra and featured violinist SooBeen Lee will take you on a journey through the calendar year. Vivaldi’s inventive melodies are accented with birdcalls, sunshine, thunderstorms, barking dogs, lullabies, and other enchanting sounds that have made this piece so well loved. The orchestra will also play Rodion Shchedrin’s “Carmen Suite,” which consists of memorable tunes from Georges Bizet’s famous opera.
When is the “right” time to start listening to Christmas music?
This might be a highly contested debate in your house or among friends. While there will never be an objective “right” time to start listening, we can take the advice from Christmas experts and apply their holly jolly judgment to our own lives.
Dolly Parton is the latest cover star of Better Homes & Gardens
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Dolly Parton weighed in on the topic in a conversation with TODAY.com.
Parton, who is an unofficial-official Queen of Christmas (she tells TODAY.com that her nieces and nephews literally call her “Christmas Dolly”) is no stranger to getting extra spirited in advance of the Christmas season, especially in 2022.
While Parton has her hands tied with multiple holiday-related projects this year, including the rerelease of her Christmas album “A Holly Dolly Christmas” and a new NBC holiday film “Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas,” she told Better Homes and Gardens that she still makes sure her home is decorated to the nines, with a Christmas tree in every room.
But what about the Christmas music debate? Parton says the answer is really up to you to decide.
“I think it’s anytime we feel like it,” Parton tells TODAY.com. “It makes you feel good and makes you happy!”
But Parton has her own routine. She waits until the day after Thanksgiving to get the holiday tunes going in her Tennessee home.
“I actually start decorating and playing Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving,” she reveals.
Though she makes exceptions when family is visiting year round. “Some of my little nieces and nephews come to visit me and they always think of me as ‘Christmas,’ because I do such a big deal about it. So they often want me to play Christmas music when they’re visiting with me,” she says.
But how does one “become” Christmas, you may ask? Parton says it’s really just in her DNA.
“I could kind of be like a ‘Christmas Dolly’ or a ‘Dolly for Christmas,’ my name just kind of fits in there,” she says. “My little nieces and nephews love me at Christmas. We have Christmas night and we have cookie night where we make cookies and make the biggest mess in the world! But I just love Christmas songs. I love the Christmas spirit.”
As for a favorite Christmas tune, the country crooner reveals that she doesn’t have just one. She tells TODAY.com she loves everything from “Rudolph” to “White Christmas.”
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
An Instagram influencer posted a clip showing how to make a Tony Kakkar song in 2 minutes.
The video was viewed 8 million times.
Music composition for those who are not in the field appears to be quite complex. Well, it can be complex and not everyone’s cup of tea. One influencer took to social media to break out a song composition. He was taking a jibe at one of India’s loved singers Tony Kakkar. You will not believe it, but the influencer made Kakkar’s songs in just minutes.
In the clip, the Instagrammer named Sanatan shared a step-wise break guide on how to compose Kakkar’s songs. He started off with a random guitar tune. He then went on to add a lead on the same pattern. The video was captioned, “Thik ha na aise hi karta ha wo (Ok, that’s how he (Tony Kakkar makes music).”
The video immediately went viral on social media. The clip garnered over 8 million views and 1 million likes.
Many users also commented on it. ” actually like this song, Drop it on all platforms,” wrote one. Another stated, “But yours is better than Tony bhaiya.”
A third person stated, “You made an anthem for “papa ki pari” bro . Now this will be used in every papa ki pari video,” the third user wrote. “Lyrics is better than that of tony kakkar (sic).”
Meanwhile, the influencer’s video also reached Kakkar. He responded to it by saying,”Zor zor se bolke sabko schemein bata rahe ho btw loved it,” (You are telling everyone the schemes out loud, btw loved it.)
Kakkar has been very vocal about the criticisms he receives on social media.
For all Kannada devotional music fans, check-out Kannada popular devotional songs ‘Om Vighnarajaya Namaha’ jukebox. The track list includes songs like Chouthi Dinadaage, Thala Mela Vadyavu, Ninagestondhu Hesarugalayya, Namo Namo Vinayaka and Kaayi Bella Kaadirisi. To know more about the devotional songs jukebox, enjoy the video. Stay tuned to ETimes Kannada section for more Kannada devotional songs, Kannada Spiritual, Kannada Bhajan Sandhya, Kannada Bhakti songs, and play most popular religious songs, mesmerizing bhajans, aartiyan, chants, katha, kirtan and other collection of meditative & soul-stirring music. Check out the ETimes Devotional music video section for all your loved, most recent and admired Kannada Devotional Songs.
We sat down with the wildly talented Tiana Dean recently to chat all about her new EP and more. Full of life and so much passion, we find out more about this dynamic musician and her current mindset in this challenging world.
Thanks so much for speaking with us today, Tiana. We love your fresh music vibe with such honest lyrics. Let’s start with this. Where do we find you today and how did you get started with music?
Tiana: I can be found at Tianadeanoffical on Instagram and Facebook and Tiana Dean on all streaming platforms and YouTube. I’ve always been in music. I often tell myself it just runs in my veins. Singing, dancing and writing have always been something I did to past the time as a child. I grew up singing in my church choir as well as early childhood school years. I was shaped by what I heard around me. The gospel and jazz from my mom the Michael Jackson, Jacket Jacket, and Mariah Carey from my dad. Ciara, Destiny Child, and Eminem, from my oldest sister , to Maroon Five, All American Hero’s, Arvil Laverine from my younger sister and everything rap, Luda, Wayne, Jay Z from my brother. I just always liked what I like and was drawn to certain sounds. I spent hours making up my own beats in my head and writing verses and choruses in my room. I’ve been recording/releasing music for about 7 years now and fell in love with it the first time I ever recorded a song. It truly is a magical experience.
What core elements do you feel are needed to make the music scene better long-term?
Tiana: Making it more about the music and less about the glitz and glam and who you know. I see a lot of talent and a lot of hard working independent artist trying to make it in a world that’s designed around how desperate people are to be popular and liked. The best music comes from the heart, from emotion and feelings, passion and experiences.
Please explain all about the exciting process to complete your debut 5-track EP and who was involved?
Tiana: The process was rigorous lol. I went through so many songs and so many ideas. I had thoughts of not dropping anything this year and waiting. I was so focused on trying to make a project I thought people would want to hear I wasn’t making anything I liked. I came across a beat off YouTube during the time I called myself giving up and created my single “Lovin It Here” off the “Dear Diary” EP. After being sparked by lovin it here and being able to tell my story that way in a song I was sold on making whatever I was going to drop as a project a pop project. I found a producer off YouTube named Vshy and literally every beat he had was perfect for the sound and vibe I was going for. I recorded the entire EP at Halfspint Productions Mixed and mastered. There are no features on the project so everything is written by me. All the songs on the Dear Diary EP were written this year within months of the release of the project. Literally my entire project scratched and recreated within months of an album release date because I was inspired by a whole new feel and vibe. Something that was more me.
To release the project and debut the EP a “Night With Tiana Dean” was presented by BlackDolla in Cincinnati Oh. I was accompanied by a live band, The Vault, as well as three amazing opening acts, Siri Imani, Jade Alexis, and Young Reese Rude. It was truly A night to remember and a great introduction into the first project dropped by Tiana Dean.
When you close your eyes and imagine being on a massive stage with fans cheering, what does it feel like?
Tiana: For me, it feels breathtaking. I often imagine how a show will go before it happens and the feeling that overcomes me is overwhelming. Almost too much to handle. I honestly can only imagine what something like that would really feel like! One day though, for sure.
Cincinnati, Ohio. How is the music scene doing and do you feel like the whole local industry is thriving again?
Tiana: I think the music scene in Cincinnati is growing. From where it was when I started to where it is now, it has grown tremendously. I see a lot of artists here getting recognition and getting outside the city. Artists are investing in themselves and working together. It’s a lot of love going around the city, from what I see. So many opportunities are around for artist to be able to express themselves and get their name out there.
Who or what inspires you most in the world?
Tiana: My parents inspire me the most. They are two of the most hardest working, selfless people I know. They were my first examples of what success looks like, what discipline is. I dedicated a lot of life just to make my parents proud and I believe they are.
Where can we find you live next at a show?
Tiana: I’m currently booking for the year 2023. You can follow me on my website and subscribe for notifications regarding upcoming events, new music releases, merch, and shows!
Filipino singer-songwriter Syd Hartha has shared an R&B-tinged single ‘3:15’ featuring rapper Kiyo.
The new track dropped on major streaming platforms via Sony Music Philippines on Friday (November 25). It will be included in an upcoming EP by Hartha, which will be produced by Brian Lotho. Featuring Hartha’s signature soft vocals alongside soulful acoustic guitar lines and laid-back percussion, ‘3:15’ follows last October’s ‘kung nag-aatibili’, which saw Hartha returning to her stripped-down folk-pop roots.
Meanwhile, the visual for the track, produced by Sony Music and production house Lunchbox Presents, sees both artists singing separately in retro-styled and intimate household settings while reflecting the song’s lovelorn mood.
Watch the music video below.
According to a press release, the track was inspired by the reflective moods stirred in early hours of the morning. The track’s Filipino lyrics touch on being in the perpetual embrace of a significant other.
Syd Hartha’s latest single arrives nearly a month after she teamed up with former Munimuni frontman Toneejay for the latter’s new single ‘Bawat Piyesa (Secret Verse version)’. They reimagined the Munimuni fan-favourite as an ambient track, assisted by Ang Bandang Shirley singer-songwriter and producer Ean Aguila.
Meanwhile, Kiyo shared his latest single ‘Harana sa Sarili’ earlier this month, a song taken from his upcoming debut album.
The 20-year-old rapper had said the forthcoming album will contain 15 tracks including collaborations with fellow musicians YZKK, Shortone, Space Moses, and more.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) – Do you want to build a snowman? Well, how about listening to The Snowman?
The South Bend Symphony Orchestra played its annual family concert on Sunday at the University of Notre Dame’s DeBartolo Performing Arts Center.
“We’re at the South Bend Symphony’s annual family concert featuring The South Bend Symphony and Mark Doerries and the Notre Dame Children’s Choir,” said Justus Zimmerman, executive director of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra. “They’re doing The Snowman, which is this great, beautiful, animated short film about a boy discovering his best friend is a snowman, and they go meet Santa, and the music is just incredible.”
Based on the Raymond Briggs’ children’s book sharing the same name, the stage adaptation by Howard Blake showcases a full orchestra with its unforgettable soundtrack.
“The children’s choir, the symphony, it sounded like a fun experience, and these two sat still and paid attention the whole time, so that goes to show you how good it was and how entertaining,” said South Bend Resident Jessica Horvath.
Families and kids of all ages were welcomed to start the festive season off by hearing classic holiday music and a story of a boy who crosses paths with a friendly snowman.
“I kind of liked it because where the sad parts, the person that was reading he would like slow, and it was sad, and I actually cried at the end where the snowman melted,” said Emily, a young concert-goer who was excited to start the holiday season.
“They’re also going to do some traditional holiday tunes, including ones you may know and also some you may not know, so it’s going to be a really varied program of holiday music and themed music,” noted Zimmerman.
The Symphony Orchestra has played Ghostbusters, Día de los Muertos, and The Snowman in less than a month. Asking him how they could play such varying styles in such short succession, Zimmerman said, “Thankfully, our musicians are all incredible, they’re all professionals, and this is what they do day in and day out. They go from Hollywood to Mariachi music, to children’s Christmas music like that. It’s one of the most magical things about what we do.”
This is the beginning of the Symphony Orchestra’s winter schedule.
“Southold Dance Theater; we’re collaborating with on The Nutcracker for the first time, I think, in 20 years,” said Zimmerman. “So, we’ll be playing live while they dance to The Nutcracker. It’s one of the most popular traditions in town, and we’re so glad we can be back providing live music. It’s going to be a magical holiday season this year. There’s a lot to do.”
The South Bend Symphony Orchestra will play the Nutcracker with Southold Dance Theater at the Morris Performing Arts Center on December 9 through 11 and again at the Morris with Home for the Holidays on December 17 and 18.
“Home for the Holidays at the Morris Performing Arts Center, that’s the big Christmas extravaganza with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, fun for the whole family,” added Zimmerman.
Mark Doerries, conductor, composer, and performance artist works for the University of Notre Dame as Mellon Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Music and Interdisciplinarity and Lilly Conductor for the Notre Dame Children’s Choir.
The University of Notre Dame’s Children’s Choir is in its 10th season and welcomes singers from birth to age 17.
“Well, you know, our music director Alastair Willis says this is the most important concert we do because he does a great job translating the music for the kids and becoming a really engaging presence on stage so that kids get exposed to this new form of classical music for them,” said Zimmerman. “Usually, classical music isn’t as popular as it used to be, and so the kids get to interact with it and get this grounding in some foundational music.”
The SBSO winter family concert is part of the Shein Trust community series.
The artists included:
The South Bend Symphony Orchestra
Alastair Willis, Music Director
Mark Doerries, Guest Conductor
Dallin Baldwin, Guest Conductor
Notre Dame Children’s Choir
The program included:
Arr. Stephen Mager – DING DONG MERRILY ON HIGH
Howard Blake – THE SNOWMAN feat. Mark Doerries, the narrator
Stephenson – JINGLE BELLS FROM A HOLLY AND JOLLY SING-ALONG!
Country music legend Loretta Lynn died on Oct. 4, 2022. Throughout her career, Lynn won countless awards and toured for decades. While she was still involved in the music industry before her death, Lynn eventually had to stop touring due to multiple health issues in 2017 and 2018.
Loretta Lynn | Erika Goldring/WireImage
Loretta Lynn suffered a stroke in 2017
Lynn’s health issues that prevented her from touring and attending industry events began in 2016. In September 2016, Lynn fell and was injured.
Her team published a statement on Lynn’s website announcing that the singer could not perform multiple shows including a Labor Day concert.
“Although her injuries are not serious, she will be undergoing minor surgery and Loretta’s doctors have advised her to stay off the road until she’s made a full recovery,” Lynn’s team wrote on her website.
In May 2017, Lynn suffered a stroke and was hospitalized. Due to her recovery, Lynn missed attending the preview of her exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and had to push back the release of an album.
By October 2017, Lynn was determined to attend public events and attended Alan Jackson being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
RELATED: Loretta Lynn’s Children: How Many Kids Did She Have?
The country singer broke her hip in 2018
After she recovered from the stroke in 2017, Lynn fell and broke her hip in 2018. Lynn’s daughter Patsy Eileen Lynn Russell discussed her mother’s injury with People Magazine.
“She had an accident on New Year’s Day and fractured her hip,” Russell told People Magazine. “At my mom’s age it’s so dangerous when it comes to the hip, so we’re all just grateful she seems to be okay. She’s up putting weight on it and starting her rehab now.”
Russell then revealed the fall could have been because of Lynn’s new pet at the time.
“She has a new puppy — we don’t really know if she was chasing after the puppy or what, but she slid and fractured her hip. We blame the puppy! Though the puppy brings smiles so there’s that,” said Russell.
Time flies when you’re having fun! 60 years ago a dream came true when I became a member of the @opry. It’s still the most magical place in the world and holds so many wonderful memories for me! pic.twitter.com/orf0aVia3I
RELATED: Loretta Lynn’s Husband: Inside Her Marriage to Oliver Lynn
Loretta Lynn eventually stopped touring
Toward the end of 2018, Lynn missed the CMT Artists of the Year Awards. The country singer later explained her absence on Facebook.
“I was so disappointed to have missed it because I was sick. After a brief hospital visit, I’m feeling better now and enjoying a weekend of resting up at home,” Lynn wrote on Facebook according to People Magazine.
Because of her stroke in 2017 and her fall that resulted in a broken hip at the beginning of 2018, Lynn ultimately decided to stop touring.
However, the singer still attended industry events when possible, and she did her best to keep fans up-to-date on her health on social media.
On Oct. 4, 2022, Lynn’s family released a statement that Lynn died at the age of 90 years old.
RELATED: How Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton Supported Loretta Lynn After a Tragedy on Her Ranch
The Sound of the Cinema is a biweekly blog about music and sound design in films.
One of film music’s primary functions is creating an auditory atmosphere and expanding a film’s world beyond what is visually shown. In order to create the atmosphere that the director intends, composers can turn to timbre and instrumentation.
Timbre, or tone color, is the description of how the music sounds — not what the music is conveying, but how the instruments themselves sound in isolation or combination. Words like “dusty” and “sharp” are terms that can define a timbre well. Composers utilize timbre to construct atmospheres that support the diegeses, or fictional worlds, of films.
Take a moment to think of yourself as the composer for “The King” (2019), a Netflix film about Henry V which takes place in the 15th century. The director describes the film as dark and somber, and they want the music you write to heavily contribute to those two tones. Where would you start? If you were Nicholas Britell, you would decide to use low register strings, a low synthetic bass and an all-boys choir.
The score for “The King” is not like the classical orchestra scores composers such as John Williams popularized. The score is the perfect companion to the dark world of Henry V, the young man that finds himself becoming the King of England through battle and bloodshed. It maintains a dark moodiness for the duration of the film up until the end credits, when the orchestra finally blossoms with the beautiful final cue “Song of Hal: Conclusio in C Minor.” When I listen to the soundtrack, the world of the show comes back into my mind.
Not all scores affect the mood so vividly. The cue “Ballade in F# Minor: Trebuchets” brings back memories of fiery stones hitting castle walls and of the slow, repetitive nature of 15th-century warfare.
Other scores take a more classical approach to timbre. Nathan Johnson’s score for “Knives Out” (2019) takes a piano and a string quartet and creates a wonderful atmosphere representative of the whodunit film’s character. Out of the gate, Johnson’s score brings us into the world of Harlan Thrombey, an old man famous for his murder mystery novels. Johnson’s cue “Knives Out! (String Quartet in G Minor)” introduces us to the fast-paced, twisty-turny life of Harlan and his family after his mysterious death. The use of the string quartet sound gives a personal and slightly unsettling gesture to the film. The timbre of the music is raw and unpredictable, similar to the film’s narrative.
The scores for “The King” and “Knives Out” are drastically different, but both function brilliantly with their respective narratives. Neither of these scores could be considered classical, but both tap into the traditional string sound so deeply engraved in Hollywood’s history. This is an important observation to make because scores have changed dramatically since the classical Hollywood era. Contemporary scores strive to create atmospheres with any and all sounds, not just the orchestra. Of course, some scores still rely on the orchestra to design atmospheres, including BBC dramas like “Sherlock” (2010-2017).
David Arnold and Michael Price’s score for the four seasons of “Sherlock” use the orchestra to great effect. Blended with synthesizers, the orchestra helps set both the dramatic and intimate feelings in the show. Arnold’s cue “Final Act” exemplifies how large swathes of orchestral percussion can create tension. On the other hand, the orchestra can swell at moments of clarity and romance. In Series 2’s episode “A Scandal in Belgravia,” the cue “SHERlocked” rises into the forefront as Sherlock finally uncovers the password to a phone containing sensitive information. Once again, the orchestra creates the atmosphere the show sets from the off. Because of the music, we know that Sherlock has cracked the case and is about to unveil the truth about the antagonist and the phone’s password to us.
Across some of my previous articles, I’ve repeatedly come to the conclusion that film music is never definite. There are no right instruments, no right or wrong notes, no rhythm that is incorrect. What matters most in film music is whether or not it functions correctly with what is being visually portrayed. Tone color and instrumentation play a major role in this concept. What makes a certain score work is whether or not the timbre is correct. “The King,” “Knives Out” and “Sherlock” all have scores that have instrumentation and timbres that match the environments and diegeses that their creators set out to make.
Designing how the timbre should sound is a difficult problem to solve, but solving it correctly can allow the music to act as another character contributing to the story. Viewers can interpret and understand media more effectively with music that elevates the visuals. Look out for timbre and instrumentation in the media you watch and take note of how it works, or perhaps doesn’t work. Timbre is a key element in film music, and it’s a tool that’s necessary in order to unlock the auditory story a film is telling.
Alec Cassidy is a film production and music composition double major who writes about film scores. You can reach them at [email protected]
